RAHEEM STERLING runs the risk of forgoing
millions of pounds by prolonging his contract
stand-off after Liverpool manager Brendan
Rodgers was categorical in his insistence the
youngster will not leave this summer.
Liverpool’s hardline stance is set to such a
degree that Sterling will spend another season on
his £35,000-a-week contract, which ends in
2017, if an agreement cannot be brokered this
summer. Any transfer request would be rejected.
Sterling has stalled on signing a £100,000-a-
week contract and is currently forfeiting £65,000
a week which, if that situation continues
throughout next season, would mean he has
overlooked the chance to earn in excess of £4m.
Contract talks began in October, the day after
Sterling inspired a victory against his former club
QPR, who arrive at Anfield today.
The England youngster, whom Rodgers has had to
his house for talks, said in an interview with the
BBC last month his motivation is not money and
he is being pursued by England’s elite, including
Manchester City.
Yet as things stand Sterling, 20, would be one of
the lowest paid members of Liverpool’s first-team
squad next season with the club unwilling to
countenance his departure.
“We’ve made that clear from the beginning and
the owners are very much supportive of that,”
said Rodgers, who will be without the injured
Mario Balotelli today.

Brendan Rodgers says Raheem Sterling will not
be leaving Liverpool this summer
“Raheem won’t be going anywhere this summer,
even if there’s not a deal agreed.
“We’re still pretty relaxed on it. It’s one where the
club will meet up again with Raheem’s
representatives and we’ll reinforce it [the
message].
“Everyone wants to win trophies, everyone wants
to play in the big competitions; but it’s also
important that you have the opportunity to do
that.
Raheem won’t be going anywhere this
summer, even if there’s not a deal agreed
Brendan Rodgers
“So we’ll just be reinforcing our stance that’s
been in place all the way along – that this is the
best club for him at this moment where he’s got
the opportunity to play and to fight and be
competitive.”
Rodgers invited Sterling to his house for talks and
wrapped a paternal arm around the player after
the recent controversies in which he was pictured
inhaling laughing gas and smoking a shisha pipe.
“We had a couple of good meetings,” said
Rodgers. “He came to the house and had a good
chat on a personal level as well. I do it with some
when the moment’s right.
“It’s not just about the football side, it’s also
about his welfare because he’s still young and
he’s been through a lot in the last couple of
years.
“So I talked to him generically and I think he’s in
a good place at the moment.
“We had a good chat and it was about making
himself comfortable as well. It’s not just football.
It’s parenting as well, helping him and making
sure everything is alright outside of his football.”
Rickie Lambert is in line for a rare start in the
absence of Balotelli and also Daniel Sturridge,
who is in America seeing a specialist with the
prospect of hip surgery hanging over him.
Sturridge’s situation could force Liverpool to
rethink their summer transfer plans with recruiting
a new No 9 the overwhelming priority and one
which could impact on interest in the likes of PSV
Eindhoven’s Memphis Depay who is not an out-
and-out striker.
Back-up goalkeeper Brad Jones has been offered
a new contract, while Kolo Toure looks likely to
leave in order to play regularly. New York Red
Bulls are not interested in the Ivorian.
“There have been discussions. Obviously Brad is
in his last year but there’s been nothing
resolved,” said Rodgers, who has confirmed
Liverpool will offer Chelsea a guard of honour a
week on Sunday if they seal the Premier League
title by beating Crystal Palace this weekend.
“Absolutely,” he added. “This club is built on
dignity, respect and class.
“So whoever the champions are, and wherever it
is, that’s what you do.”